Human Rights Commission South Asia

CONTACT US     RESOURCES & LINKS       ABOUT US        HUMAN RIGHTS  REPORTS        CONTRIBUTE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long wait for justice

In a very telling sign of the operational flaws inherent in the country's judicial system, Afzal Haider, who languished 17 years in jail without being convicted, was finally released after being acquitted of the charges against him.

While not all the details of the case are before us, judging by the nature of the crimes for which he was booked, it would not be wrong to assume that his time in jail without conviction could have exceeded the period of actual sentence had he been found guilty.

Whatever the case, Mr Haider's example is reflective of a nation-wide scourge whereby many of those behind bars for months and years have yet to stand trial. The existence of draconian laws like the Hudood Ordinances compounds the misery of the prisoners even more as they can be detained on the most unsubstantiated of charges.

This is wrong and should not be tolerated in any civilized society. It is not only individuals who suffer, their families, too, must undergo the trauma of long separation and the agony of undecided cases.

Obviously, the wheels of justice have to be better oiled to get going - an image that finds resonance in the few, ramshackle vehicles available to transport the detainees to court and back.

There was a proposal some years ago to have makeshift courts on jail premises to resolve undecided cases. Perhaps, this suggestion can be looked into, at least for those charged with minor faults.

Besides, not many are able to afford legal counsel - another reason for delay in disposal of cases. Small wonder our courts are overcrowded. It is time some major reforms were carried out to cut down law's delays, speed up the trial process and spare the detainees the agony and distress of long wait for justice.

 

 

HOME          ABOUT US           RESOURCES & LINKS           HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS           CONTRIBUTE!

Questions? hrcsa@hrcsa.org  Phone: 0046704377311 Fax: 0046704377311
 © 2003 Human Rights Commission South Asia, All Rights Reserved